Wire supporting clip



March 28, 1944- E. M. MOREHOUSE WIRE SUPPORTING CLIP' Filed Feb. 9, 1945 I gram/fm fasi/v5 M Maf/oc/sf nl... .Alll- Patented Mar. 28, 1944 WIRE SUPPORTING CLIP Eugene M. Morehouse, Tujunxa, Calif., asslgnor to Adel Precision Products Corp., a corporation of California Application February 9, 1943, Serial No. 475,304

This invention relates to devices for embracing f lti Claims.

and supporting a group of electrical Wires and the like in aircraft in a manner similar to that disclosed in my pending application for patent entitled "Supporting clip for wires, Serial No. 449,919, filed July 6, 1942.

Wire supporting clips as shown in my application above identified and as heretofore made,

- primarily include a metal strap adapted to emapply the clip to hold la plurality of wires in a l compact group and securely fasten them to a support, with a single non-metallic strap which serves the purpose of the separate metal strap and cushion members heretofore used.

Another object of my invention is to provide a wire supporting clip for aircraft wherein a novci Form of clamp associated with a single strap or zdexible, non-metallic and compressible and prei= erably somewhat elastic material, such as syn.m

'thetic rubber,l makes it possible 'to set up stile@ assemblies of wires and clips or the application o the clips after 'the installation of Elhewirem either case with greater ease and in less time 'than heretofore.

.fi further object is to provide a clip of the character described which may be readily opened to remove or replace the wires without removing the clip from the support or manipulating the fastening. means for securing the clip to the support. l

.another object is to provide a clip of the char actor described wherein the single, flexible, elas tic andcompressible non-metallic strap makes for la more compact grouping of the wires in small compass, a better conformity of the Astrap to 'the group of wires and aords a cushioned support therefor to prevent damage and wear due to the vibration of the wires and clip, the elasticity of the strap providing a tensioned gripping and sup porting action for the Wires.

A further object is to provide in a clip such as described a clamp member for releasably drawing the ends of the flexible strap together to tightly grip the strap around groups of Wiresof various sizes and where the groups have various diameters, it being unnecessary to preform the strap to generally conform'to the group of wires, as heretofore, or to make up clips of diiferent sizes, inasmuch as the single strap hereof will readily conform to wire groups of various diameters and the clamp provides for ready adjustment of the strap accordingly.

With the foregoing objects in view, together with such other objects and advantages as may subsequently appear, the invention resides in the parts and in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed, and illustrated by Way of example in the accompanying drawing', in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a clip embodying my invention as installed with the clamp in closed or clamping position;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front elevation of the clip with the clamp in open or releasing position;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on 'the line 3 3 of Fig. l.;

Fig. l is a side elevation of the clip as mstalled as shown in Fig.. i;

Fig. 5 is a cross section taken on the line Eme-E of Fig. o;

Fig. o is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing.r the clamp in open or releasing position;

Fig. is an eniarged front elevation of the portion of the clamp showing how the horrible strap is secured thereto,

Referring to the drawing more specicaiiy, it is seen that a wire supporting clip embodying my invention generally includes a .dexible strap i of non-metallic, comprcssible and somewhat elastic material such as rubber, synthetic rubber, fabric or a rubberized fabric, with which an especially constructed clamp 2 is associated so that the strap may be given the form of a loop for embracing a group of wires or conduits designated 3 or a single wire or conduit, to support them in small compass on a frame or structural member 4 of the aircraft. A bolt 5 and a nut E are employed to secure the clamp to the support# in such manner that the clamp may operate to tightly secure the strap i around the wire or release the strap for removal and replacement of wires, without necessitating removing the clamp from the support or the manipulation of the nut andbolt in any manner.

In accordance with this invention the strap l is adjustably associated with the clamp 2 so that wire groups of different sizes (diameters) may be accommodated with my improved clip. This arrangement makes it possible to support a single conduit or wire or groupe of wires of vo: .i diameters over a large range.

As here provided the p il comprises a reco tangular plate-like body portion il, a movable member B and a jaw actua lever d.` .i.=. of the strap I is secured to the body porti by means of tongues it bent to clp andhold lease the strap l as shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 6.,

The inner end of the Jaw member is formed with a curved lip portion ib to accommodate the'strap as shown in Fig. 3 so that a sharp edge contact of strap and jaw is eliminated. This lip portion also forces the strap into closer conformation with the wire group, as aloop portion.

The lever 9 is pivoted on a pin it mounted in and between the ears id, said lever having marginal flanges il through which the pin extends as shown'in Fig. 5. 'I'he inner end of the lever d is adapted to bear against the Jaw member d and has a cam-like protuberance i3 extending out wardlytherefrom so as to bear against one side of the Jaw member when the lever is in clamping position as shown in Figs. 3 ande. As the lever is then past center it will remain in clamping position thereby locking the clamp in clamping position with the opposite side of said jaw member pressed against the strap until the lever is forcibly moved into releasing position shown in Fig. 6.

To install the clip hereof the strap i is wrapped around `the desired group of wires and after the free end portion of the strap is passed through while tight Vis clamped in place. When the clamp is open, the lever S extends outwardly at right angles to the body portion as shown in Fig. 6. When the lever is raised or lifted the inner end thereof and the protuberance i8 thereon engage and force the jaw member d into clamping position, the tongues l then' acting as Jaws as.

shown in Fig. 3, whereby the end portions of the strap are tightly clamped together and so held with the strap tightly embracing the wires under tension. The lip portion i of the jaw member is disposed below the inner end of the lever e as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and forces the strap into a closed tens'ioned loop surrounding-and confining said wires to small compass in a cushioned seat byreason of the elasticity and compressibility of the strap. Moreover, this lip'presses the loop portion of the strap downwardly and inwardly so as to hold the group of wires rmly against the support d to prevent -a bouncing action.

'the clamp to lie between the jaw member and body portion4 1, the strap is pulled tight and aecomo extra length of the strap provided after it io clamped around a conduit or a group thereof may be cut oil if desired.

In case of removal or replacement of the wires the clamp may be easily opened without removal thereof from the support d and as readily reclamped. v

It is now seen that I have provided Aa simply constructed, light weight and inexpensive wire clip by reason of the use of a ilexible strap ci non-metallicl compressible material adapted to be wrapped around a wire orconduit or group thereof to form a supporting and cushioning loop portion therefor with the ends of the strap ex tending outwardly from the loop portion and subject to being clamped together to constrict the loop and facilitate the suspension thereof on a support.

While I have shown and described a specinc embodiment of my invention I do not limit myself to the exact details of construction set forth, and the invention embraces such changes, inodcan tions and equivalents of the parts and their formation and arrangement as come within the purview of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a supporting clip for wires or conduits, a

exible strap of non-metallic compressible material adapted to be wrapped around a wire or conduit or a group. thereof to form a supporting and cushioning loop therefor with the end portions of the strap extending outwardly from the loop and subject to being clamped together for constricting the loop portion and fastening it on a support, a clamp body portion adapted to be attached to a support, means for fixing an end portion of the strap to said body portion, means including a lever pivoted to said body portion for releasably clamping and holding the other end portion of the strap on said body portion to provide and maintain a tensioned loop portion tightly embracing the wire, conduit or group thereof, and means independent of the clamping means for attaching the body portion to a support.

2. In a supporting clip for wires or conduits, a exible strap of non-metallic compressible maten rial adapted to be wrapped around a wire or conduit or a group thereof to form a supporting and cushioning loop therefor with the end portions of the strap extending outwardly from the loop and subject to being clamped together for constructsa ing the loop portion and fastening it on a support, a clamp body portion adapted to be attached to a support, means for fixing an end portion of the strap to said body portion, means including a lever pivoted to said body portion for releasably clamping and holding the other end portion of the strapon said body portion to provide and maintain a tensioned loop portion tightly embracing the wire, conduit or group thereof, and means independent of the clamping means for attaching the body portion to a support, said clamping means also engaging said loop portion and exerting a `force to hold said loop portion against said support to prevent bouncing thereof relative to the support.

3. In a supporting clip for wires or conduits, a flexible strap of non-metallic compressible material adapted to be wrapped around a wire or oondult or a group thereof to form a supporting and cushioning loop therefor with the end portions of the strap extending outwardly from the loop and subject to being clamped together for constricting the loop 'portion `and fastening it on a support, means for attaching the clip to a support,

and means associated with the end portions of the strap for holding said ends clamped together to form a tensioned supporting loop embracing and supporting said wire, conduit or group there.- of, including a jaw mounted upon the clip and having opposite side portions oneof which contacts with said strap, and a lever mounted upon the clip to act upon the opposite side of said jaw for moving said jaw into clamping position, said jaw exerting pressure against said loop portion to hold the loop portion against said support.

4. In a supporting clip for wires or conduits, a flexible strap of non-metallic compressible material adapted to be wrapped around a wire or conduit or a group thereof to form a supporting and cushioning loop therefor with the end portions-of the strap extending outwardly from the loop and subject to being clamped together for constricting the loop portion and fastening it on a support, a clamp body member, bendable tongues on said body member for fixing an end portion of the strap to said body portion, ears on said body portion, a movable jaw supported by and between said ears for movement toward and away from said body portion to clamp and release the other end portion of the strap, and a jaw actuating lever pivoted on said ears and engaging said movable jaw. l

5. In a supporting clip for wires or conduits, a flexible strap of non-metallic compressible material adapted to be wrapped around a wire or conduit or a group thereof to form a supporting and port,l a clamp body member connected to an end portion of the strap and adapted lto be secured to a support, a jaw on the body member movable to clamp the other end portion of the strap on said body member, a jaw-actuating lever on said l0 body member having an end engaging said jaw,

and a protuberance on one face of the lever adjacent said end thereof for engaging and holding said jaw in clamping position when the lever is in a predetermined position.

6. In a supporting clip for wires or conduits, a

flexible strap of non-metallic compressible material adapted to be wrapped around a wire or conduit or a group thereof to form a supporting and cushioning loop therefor with the end portions of the strap extending outwardly from the loop and subject to being clamped together for constricting the loop portion and fastening it ona support, a clamp body member, means carried by said body member for fixing an end portion of the strap thereto, ears on said body portions, a

movable jaw supported by and between said ears for movement toward and away from said body portion to clamp and release the other end portion of the strap, and a jaw actuating lever pivoted on said ears and engaging said movable jaw.

EUGENE M. MOREHOUBE. 

